Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (826 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
Retrograde flow of gastric juice (gastric acid) and/or duodenal contents (bile acids; pancreatic juice) into the distal esophagus, commonly due to incompetence of the lower esophageal sphincter.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Esophageal Reflux; Gastric Acid Reflux; Acid Reflux, Gastric; Reflux, Gastric Acid; Gastric Acid Reflux Disease; Gastro-Esophageal Reflux; Gastro Esophageal Reflux; Reflux, Gastro-Esophageal.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Esophageal Motility Disorders
- Narrower topics
- Laryngopharyngeal Reflux; Non-Erosive Reflux Disease
- See also
- Heartburn; Fundoplication; Esophageal Sphincter, Lower
Related concepts
- Gastric Acid
- Bile Acids
- Pancreatic Juice
- Esophagus
- Lower Esophageal Sphincter
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 31,695 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Gastroesophageal Reflux” (counts retrieved 2026-11-04). 5,135 of them (16.2%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is 2000-2009 with 9,138 records.
Reviews account for 6,530 records (20.6%) and meta-analyses for 507. Randomized controlled trials number 1,541 (4.9%) as a share of all records on the topic.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 8,938 |
| 2000-2009 | 9,138 |
| 2010-2019 | 8,484 |
| 2020 onward | 5,135 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 6,530 | 20.6% |
| Meta-analyses | 507 | 1.6% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 1,541 | 4.9% |
Method: PubMed query "Gastroesophageal Reflux"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-11-04.
Reading the evidence in digestive system and liver
Gut and liver research ranges from laboratory studies of the microbiome to large trials of drugs and surgery. Symptoms such as pain, reflux or bowel change are reported by patients and overlap between conditions, and diet and microbiome studies are mostly observational. Check whether the study measured symptoms, tissue findings or long-term outcomes, how the diagnosis was made and how long people were followed. Nothing here replaces advice from a qualified clinician.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
The effect of laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy and laparoscopic roux-en-Y gastric bypass on gastroesophageal reflux disease: An updated meta-analysis and systematic review of 5-year post-operative data from randomized controlled trials [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundTo evaluate 5-year effect of laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy (LVSG) versus laparoscopic roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) on gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) solely based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
- Closing excerpt
- Appropriate patient/surgical selection is crucial to reduce these postoperative risks of GERD.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (271 words)
BackgroundTo evaluate 5-year effect of laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy (LVSG) versus laparoscopic roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) on gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) solely based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs).MethodsA systematic review and meta-analysis of 5-year postoperative GERD data comparing LVSG and LRYGB in adults were undertaken. Electronic databases were searched from January 2015 to March 2024 for publications meeting inclusion criteria. The Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman random effects model was applied to estimate pooled odds ratio where meta-analysis was possible. Bias and certainty of evidence were assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool 2 and GRADE.ResultsFive RCTs were analysed (LVSG n = 554, LRYGB n = 539). LVSG was associated with increased adverse GERD outcomes compared to LRYGB at 5 years. The odds for revisional surgery to treat GERD in LVSG patients were 11 times higher compared to LRYGB (OR 11.47, 95% CI 1.83 to 71.69; p = 0.02; I2 = 0% High level of certainty). Similarly pharmacological management for increasing GERD was significantly more frequent in LVSG patients compared to LRYGB (OR 3.89, 95% CI 2.31 to 6.55; p ≤ 0.01; I2 = 0% Moderate level of certainty). Overall, LVSG was associated with significantly more interventions (both medical and surgical) for either worsening GERD and/or development of de novo GERD compared to LRYGB (OR 5.98, 95% CI 3.48 to 10.29; p ≤ 0.01; I2 = 0%) Moderate level of certainty).ConclusionsThe development and worsening of GERD symptoms are frequently associated with LVSG compared to LRYGB at 5 years postoperatively requiring either initiation or increase of pharmacotherapy or failing that revisional bariatric surgery. Appropriate patient/surgical selection is crucial to reduce these postoperative risks of GERD.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 39384655 · DOI · PMC11525329
Individualizing the choice of surgical therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Purpose of reviewProton-pump inhibitor therapy does not provide complete relief of symptoms in up to 40% of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- Closing excerpt
- Further research is needed to provide more personalized and durable ARS.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (188 words)
Purpose of reviewProton-pump inhibitor therapy does not provide complete relief of symptoms in up to 40% of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Antireflux surgery (ARS) aims to reconstruct the natural antireflux barrier consisting of the diaphragmatic crura, the lower esophageal sphincter, and the gastroesophageal flap valve.Recent findingsAlthough the 360° Nissen fundoplication combined with crural repair remains the gold-standard ARS treatment for GERD, the Toupet and Dor partial fundoplications and the magnetic sphincter augmentation (LINX) procedure have emerged as suitable alternative options with fewer side-effects. Randomized and observational clinical studies show that reflux control with partial fundoplications and LINX is acceptable and the risk of side-effects is minimal. Early results with the novel Refluxstop procedure show that restoration of distal esophageal length and the gastroesophageal flap valve, combined with anterior fundoplication and a silicon prosthesis to stabilize the esophagogastric junction below the diaphragm, can also provide excellent reflux control with minimal side-effects.SummaryLaparoscopic ARS should be performed in centers offering a comprehensive diagnostic pathway and a spectrum of techniques tailored to the individual GERD patient's phenotype and expectations. Further research is needed to provide more personalized and durable ARS.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 39964431 · DOI · PMC12147730
Multidimensional mechanisms and therapies underlying gastroesophageal reflux disease: focus on immunity, signaling pathways, and the microbiota-gut-brain axis [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has a high incidence rate and a complex pathogenesis that is not yet fully understood.
- Closing excerpt
- These findings underscore the need for mechanism-driven research to facilitate the development of personalized treatment strategies and address unresolved challenges in GERD management.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (182 words)
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has a high incidence rate and a complex pathogenesis that is not yet fully understood. This review aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of the mechanisms underlying GERD, emphasizing the interplay between immune responses, signaling pathways, and the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Specifically, it highlights the contributions of immune cells (e.g., T-lymphocytes, dendritic cells, mast cells), pro-inflammatory cytokines, and key signaling pathways, including nuclear factor (NF)-κB, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt), in driving esophageal inflammation and barrier dysfunction. Furthermore, the review examines the bidirectional interactions between psychological stress, gut microbiota dysbiosis, and GERD pathophysiology via the gut-brain axis. In bridging these mechanisms to potential therapeutic strategies, this review evaluates both established pharmacological treatments, such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and immunotherapy, and emerging approaches, including herbal formulations and neuromodulation techniques. By synthesizing current evidence, the review identifies critical knowledge gaps, particularly in understanding the cross-talk between immune pathways and therapeutic targets. These findings underscore the need for mechanism-driven research to facilitate the development of personalized treatment strategies and address unresolved challenges in GERD management.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 40755761 · DOI · PMC12313489
Depression and risk of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD): results from the UK Biobank study [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BACKGROUND: This study investigated the association between depression and the incidence of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and examined whether the association interacts with age.
- Closing excerpt
- Consequently, increased attention of the treating physicians regarding an increased risk of GERD in depressed persons is important.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (185 words)
BACKGROUND: This study investigated the association between depression and the incidence of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and examined whether the association interacts with age. The analysis was based on 457,958 participants aged 37–73 years from the UK-Biobank prospective cohort study. METHODS: The baseline examination started 2006 and the participants were followed up until 2019–2023 (median follow-up time 13.52 years [interquartile range12.62–14.27]). Depression at baseline and incident GERD at follow-up were defined through sources of the British health system (ICD-codes) and self-report. Multivariable adjusted Cox regression models were used for analysis. Formal tests for interaction with sex and age were conducted. RESULTS: Participants who developed GERD during follow-up were characterized by an unhealthier lifestyle and more comorbidities than individuals without GERD. In multivariable analysis, depression was associated with incident GERD (Hazard ratio 1.51 [1.46,1.55]; P < 0.001). The association decreased with increasing age. There was no interaction with sex. CONCLUSION: Depression and its psycho-physiological consequences may be associated with the development of GERD, in particular in middle-aged people. Consequently, increased attention of the treating physicians regarding an increased risk of GERD in depressed persons is important.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 41507822 · DOI · PMC12837071
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Meta-analysis: obesity and the risk for gastroesophageal reflux disease and its complications [5]
- Research article Global prevalence of, and risk factors for, gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms: a meta-analysis [6]
- Research article Appropriate acid suppression for the management of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease [7]
- Research article Body mass index and gastroesophageal reflux disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis [8]
- Research article Global Prevalence and Risk Factors of Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD): Systematic Review with Meta-analysis [9]
- Research article Does Sleeve Gastrectomy Expose the Distal Esophagus to Severe Reflux?: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis [10]
Full-text reviews on EvidenceLib
Open-access review articles about this topic, reproduced in full with authors, licence and references.
Association between tea consumption and gastroesophageal reflux disease
Hongying Cao, Xiaoyi Huang, Xiaosong Zhi et al. · Medicine 2019 · CC BY 4.0
References
- Memon MA, Osland E, Yunus RM, Hoque Z, Alam K, Khan S. The effect of laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy and laparoscopic roux-en-Y gastric bypass on gastroesophageal reflux disease: An updated meta-analysis and systematic review of 5-year post-operative data from randomized controlled trials. . 2024. PMID 39384655 · DOI · PMC11525329
- Bonavina L. Individualizing the choice of surgical therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease. . 2025. PMID 39964431 · DOI · PMC12147730
- Zheng J, Tao L. Multidimensional mechanisms and therapies underlying gastroesophageal reflux disease: focus on immunity, signaling pathways, and the microbiota-gut-brain axis. . 2025. PMID 40755761 · DOI · PMC12313489
- Reizner J, Freuer D, Schmitz T, Linseisen J, Meisinger C. Depression and risk of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD): results from the UK Biobank study. . 2026. PMID 41507822 · DOI · PMC12837071
- Hampel H, Abraham NS, El-Serag HB. Meta-analysis: obesity and the risk for gastroesophageal reflux disease and its complications. Ann Intern Med. 2005. PMID 16061918 · DOI
- Eusebi LH, Ratnakumaran R, Yuan Y, Solaymani-Dodaran M, Bazzoli F, Ford AC. Global prevalence of, and risk factors for, gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms: a meta-analysis. Gut. 2018. PMID 28232473 · DOI
- Bell NJ, Burget D, Howden CW, Wilkinson J, Hunt RH. Appropriate acid suppression for the management of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Digestion. 1992. PMID 1397746 · DOI
- Corley DA, Kubo A. Body mass index and gastroesophageal reflux disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Gastroenterol. 2006. PMID 16952280 · DOI
- Nirwan JS, Hasan SS, Babar ZU, Conway BR, Ghori MU. Global Prevalence and Risk Factors of Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD): Systematic Review with Meta-analysis. Sci Rep. 2020. PMID 32242117 · DOI · PMC7118109
- Yeung KTD, Penney N, Ashrafian L, Darzi A, Ashrafian H. Does Sleeve Gastrectomy Expose the Distal Esophagus to Severe Reflux?: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Ann Surg. 2020. PMID 30921053 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-11-04; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-11-04.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.